Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (1)
$99.00
Amazon
5.0 (2)
$99.00
Reverb
5.0 (7)
$99.00 New
$69.00 Used
Thomann
4.8 (46)
$92.00

Average Price: $94

Budget/Beginner

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gibson 490R Humbucker". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Elevate your guitar's sound with the Gibson 490R Humbucker, a modern classic designed to deliver a perfect blend of vintage charm and contemporary versatility. Inspired by the legendary PAF pickups, the 490R offers a slight increase in upper midrange response, providing a richer, more dynamic sound profile. This makes it ideal for players who crave a vintage tone with a modern twist. With its Alnico II magnets, the 490R ensures smooth, bell-like tones that sing beautifully, whether you're playing soulful blues or energetic rock 'n' roll.

Engineered with a four-conductor wiring scheme, this humbucker allows for coil-splitting, granting you greater flexibility in crafting your unique sound. Its wax-potting technique minimizes microphonic feedback, ensuring clarity even at high volumes. Whether you're looking to capture warm, jazzy cleans or drive into powerful rock riffs, the 490R is your go-to for versatility and reliability. Perfectly calibrated for the neck position, this pickup pairs seamlessly with the 490T for a cohesive setup that covers the tonal spectrum.

Key Features:

  • Position: Neck
  • Magnet: Alnico II for smooth frequency response
  • Wiring: 4-conductor enables series, parallel, and split-coil options
  • Wax potted to minimize microphonic feedback
  • Average DC Resistance: 8k
  • Designed with double black bobbins for a classic look

Product specs

Type Humbucker
Position Neck
Active/Passive Passive
Magnet Material Alnico II
Number of Conductors 4 wire plus shield
DC Resistance 8K
Connectivity Soldered
Number of Strings 6
Covering Uncovered

FAQs

What type of music is the Gibson 490R Humbucker best suited for?

The Gibson 490R Humbucker is ideal for classic rock, blues, and jazz, thanks to its warm tones and slightly increased upper midrange response, which closely resembles the original Patent Applied For pickups.

Is the Gibson 490R Humbucker wax potted?

Yes, the Gibson 490R Humbucker is wax potted, which helps minimize microphonic feedback by eliminating air space within the pickup.

What kind of magnet is used in the Gibson 490R Humbucker?

The Gibson 490R Humbucker uses an Alnico II magnet, which contributes to its smooth, warm tonal qualities.

Can the Gibson 490R Humbucker be coil-split?

Yes, the Gibson 490R features a four-conductor wiring scheme that allows for coil-splitting when connected to a push/pull knob, enhancing its versatility.

What is the DC resistance of the Gibson 490R Humbucker?

The Gibson 490R Humbucker has a DC resistance of approximately 8K, providing a balance of output and clarity suitable for various musical styles.

Is the Gibson 490R Humbucker suitable for the neck position?

Yes, the Gibson 490R is specifically designed for the neck position, offering a warm and smooth tone ideal for rhythm playing.

PlayRockZone

PlayRockZone

Gibson Pickups - 57 Classic - BurstBucker 1 & 2 - 490R 498T - 496R 500T

Video thumbnail for Gibson Pickups - 57 Classic - BurstBucker 1 & 2 - 490R 498T - 496R 500T by PlayRockZone

Gibson Pickups - 57 Classic - BurstBucker 1 & 2 - 490R 498T - 496R 500T

PlayRockZone

PlayRockZone

Video thumbnail for Gibson 490R/498T vs Burstbucker Pros - Les Paul Studio by Dad Rock and Guitars

Gibson 490R/498T vs Burstbucker Pros - Les Paul Studio

Dad Rock and Guitars

Dad Rock and Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson 57 classics vs 490r & 498t - SG, on Kemper Profiling Amp! by KENDRICK

Gibson 57 classics vs 490r & 498t - SG, on Kemper Profiling Amp!

KENDRICK

KENDRICK

Video thumbnail for Gibson 490R and 498T Pickups by Visual Guy

Gibson 490R and 498T Pickups

Visual Guy

Visual Guy

Video thumbnail for Gibson 490R/498T vs Gibson 57 Classic by axedoc2010

Gibson 490R/498T vs Gibson 57 Classic

axedoc2010

axedoc2010

Video thumbnail for Suhr Dough Aldrich Pickups vs Gibson 490R, 498T by Daniel Belensky

Suhr Dough Aldrich Pickups vs Gibson 490R, 498T

Daniel Belensky

Daniel Belensky

Video thumbnail for Gibson 498T & 490R Pickups VS Lollar Imperial High Winds by Jon Monter

Gibson 498T & 490R Pickups VS Lollar Imperial High Winds

Jon Monter

Jon Monter

Video thumbnail for Gibson 490r/498t vs Lollar Imperials by axedoc2010

Gibson 490r/498t vs Lollar Imperials

axedoc2010

axedoc2010

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers classic Gibson bluesy and jazzy warmth with clarity

  • Versatile with smooth mids and highs for complex clean tones

  • Great dynamic response, works well with overdrive pedals

  • Compatible with coil splitting and other wiring options

  • Enhances sound quality in both high-end and affordable guitars

  • Easy installation with 2-wire braided ground setup

  • Naturally burnished nickel cover for a vintage look

  • Matches well with weight-relieved guitars like the Les Paul Faded

  • Maintains articulation and definition in both clean and distorted settings

CONS

  • Some quality control issues with misaligned parts

  • Not ideal for shredding or extremely high-gain settings

  • May not be as impressive as some aftermarket options

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson 490R Humbucker.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners favor swapping 498T pickups for a Duncan SH-4 "JB" for enhanced tonal satisfaction, especially in alternative music contexts.

    Source
  • Owners have successfully replaced the plastic covers with nickel covers and added brackets to improve the pickups' appearance and setup.

    Source
  • Swapping the magnets in the 490R/498T set can alleviate the 490R's "woofy" nature and the 498T's "shrill" tone.

    Source
  • Adjusting the pickup height and raising the pole pieces can improve clarity and tightness, especially beneficial for high-gain settings.

    Source

User experience

  • The 490R/490T pickups were stock in 2013 Gibson LPJ models, affirmed as genuine Gibson USA products despite their initial cost-cutting aesthetic choices.

    Source
  • The 490R/498T set is sometimes considered too hot for specific playing styles, leading to frequent replacements.

    Source
  • Some users find the 490R's warm tone appealing for alternative music, while others replace the 498T for improved satisfaction.

    Source
  • Owners report that the 498T's output is very high, making it ideal for metal, but some find it too hot for clean tones.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Gibson 490R/490T pickups are noted as being similar to 57 Classics, with the main difference being the 490R/490T's 4-conductor wiring, which allows for coil splitting.

    Source
  • Owners have compared the 498T to a Duncan Custom, emphasizing its suitability for rock and metal tones.

    Source
  • The 490R/490T combination is praised as an alternative to '57 Classics, noted for its performance in alternative music styles.

    Source
  • The 490R is described as "extremely fat and warm," suitable for jazzy warm clean tones and mid-heavy solos, unlike the sharper 498T.

    Source

Build quality

  • These pickups originally came with unattractive black plastic covers and lack adjustable pole pieces, affecting their aesthetic and functionality.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 490R and 490T pickups are described as "modern sounding PAFs," indicating they are hotter than traditional PAFs.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The 490R suits alternative music well, as reported by users who prefer its tone for this genre.

    Source
  • The 490R/498T set is praised for producing a defining hard rock tone from the '90s to early 2000s.

    Source

Other

  • It's been noted that the 490R/498T set can be dialed to sound similar to PAFs, but PAFs can't replicate the full power of the 498T.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • It's noted that some guitars with the 490R/498T set come with 300k pots, which some users replace with 500k CTS pots for enhanced tonal clarity.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
jimmarchi1

An okay neck pickup for any application.

This is Gibson's current standard in pickups. They are wound a little hotter than vintage with some change in the 50s-70s formula that gives them a little extra upper mid. The coils are potted, so are the covers if your guitar comes with covered 490s. The neck pickup has an Alnico 2 magnet.

I am not a huge fan of the 490T and I loathe the 498T (soooooo nasal), however the 490R neck pickup sounds good as a hot neck with good articulation as well as doing a passable job in the bridge position with a low-side-of-vintage-output bucker at the neck.

All in all these are nothing to write home about, but they do provide serviceable sounds for most genres of music. Considering they are a stock Gibson option on a lot of affordable models they are impressive and can sound better than a Gibson 57 classic in some instruments for certain applications.

That said, there are some pretty affordable aftermarket humbuckers that own the 490 pickups...

Artist usage

Add artist
See how B.B. King uses Gibson 490R Humbucker

B.B. King

Guitarist

Various Artists for Children's Promise

...
Verified via www.gear4music.pl

His signature model "Lucile" has 490R and 490T.

See how Buckethead uses Gibson 490R Humbucker

Buckethead

Guitarist, Bassist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via Guitar Chimp

Mounted in the neck position of Buckethead's signature Gibson with 500T in the bridge position .

See how Paul Landers uses Gibson 490R Humbucker

Paul Landers

Guitarist

Rammstein

...
Verified via Photo

From the Les Paul Studio Ebony that he use, the 490R humbucker is in the neck position.

See how Chad Kroeger uses Gibson 490R Humbucker

Chad Kroeger

Singer, Guitarist

Nickelback

...
Verified via MusicRadar

His signature model has 490R and 498T.

See how Herb Ellis uses Gibson 490R Humbucker

Herb Ellis

Guitarist

...
Verified

Mounted in the Herb Ellis signature Gibson ES-165 , neck position

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson 490R Humbucker, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Gibson 490T Humbucker
Gibson 490T Humbucker Electric Guitar Pickups
1

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